Cover image via New Straits Times
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As the calendar turns, Malaysians will be counting down to the new year with celebrations and festivities across the country
However, did you know New Year's Day is not a national public holiday in Malaysia?
Not everyone will be enjoying a day off on 1 January. While most states will observe a one-day holiday, government offices and departments in five states will continue operating as usual.
These states are Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Perlis, and Terengganu, which do not officially recognise New Year's Day as a public holiday
Each state follows its own public holiday calendar shaped by local culture and regional priorities.
In states such as Kelantan and Terengganu, where weekends fall on Fridays and Saturdays, greater emphasis is often placed on Islamic traditions and local customs rather than globally recognised occasions like New Year's Day.
The state secretariat building, Wisma Darul Iman, in Kuala Terengganu.
Image via Berita HarianThat said, the festive spirit is still very much alive
New Year's Eve celebrations continue in cities such as Johor Bahru and Alor Setar, where countdown events, fireworks, and gatherings still take place — even if residents need to head to work the next morning.
For those working in the private sector within these five states, it's advisable to check with your employer whether New Year's Day will be observed as a company day off.
